What is meant by 'educational records'?

The term 'educational records' refers to all records maintained by a school concerning a student. This encompasses a wide range of information including grades, academic performance, attendance records, and personal data such as behavior reports and diagnostic assessments. The definition of educational records is integral to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This act protects the privacy of students’ educational information and grants parents and eligible students (those over 18) the right to access and amend their records.

While grades and transcripts are part of educational records, they only represent a fraction of the entire picture. Medical records, although they may sometimes intersect with educational needs, do not fall under the definition of educational records as defined by FERPA. Therefore, understanding educational records as a comprehensive collection of materials maintained by an educational institution is essential for recognizing privacy rights and responsibilities under the law.